Finlay Barnes came off the bench to grab a late point for the Fleet who might have taken all three in a spell of pressure before the final whistle.
Daniel Ogunleye earned his first start for the Fleet this afternoon and he was soon getting stuck into the action but his early chance was disposed of by goalkeeper Will Henry. Minutes later, the young Brentwood Town signing broke through the defence but couldn’t quite bring the ball under full control and it was eventually mopped up by the Salisbury back line.
Ben Chapman sent several balls from the right flank but Salisbury’ centre-back pairing was a good one and kept those out.
The hosts enjoyed most of the possession and claimed the majority of the attacking play but Salisbury were neat up front when given the freedom to play and they went into the lead shortly before the break. Robbie Gallagher took on on a cross from the dangerous wide man Jaiden Bartolo on 41 minutes and found himself enough space to pick out the lower far corner away from former Salisbury goalkeeper Will Buse.
Fleet thought they had got back into it a few minutes later when Dominic Samuel eased into the six-yard box to convert (below) but the flag was raised and Salisbury enjoyed the advantage at the whistle.
It was a lively start to the second half with Jake Vokins whipping in balls from set pieces but Salisbury were once again able to clear the danger. Chapman tried his luck from just outside the area but that was pushed aside by Henry.
Samuel took a knock to the ankle and was soon replaced by Kwesi Appiah who had a huge chance just past the hour mark – Chapman’s delivery bounced up for the Fleet skipper at the far post but his header was off target.
Salisbury were restricted to counter-attacks in that second period and almost added to their lead when Jeremy Sivi was in the clear but Buse made an excellent save and then denied another shot in the follow-up.
Fleet continued to dominate in the Salisbury half and Aramide Oteh and Lennon Peake added some fresh legs. However, it was Barnes who was the key as patient Fleet had to wait until the 85th minute. A ball into the area dropped into the middle and Barnes was the quickest of several players to react, getting to the ball before Henry to fire into the net.
There was more late drama as Ronny Nelson went close with a header and several goalmouth scrambles ended with Oteh’s shot charged down and cleared. Olly Box also appealed for a handball when his delivery to Oteh came off Ollie Morgan.
EUFC: Buse, Passley (Barnes 78), Nelson, Tizzard, Vokins (Peake 62), Vennings, Edser, Kennedy (Box 62), Chapman, Ogunleye (Oteh 67), Samuel (Appiah 49). Subs not used: Hessenthaler, Gbadebo
SFC: Henry, Sommerton, Ellison, Revan, Ogunleye, Dabre (Alonge 58), Gallagher (Sivi 68), Bradbury, Bartolo (Hedges 79), Morgan, Odokonyero (Russe 76). Subs not used: Beard, Thomas, McIntyre.
Attendance: 1,425
Photos: ©EUFC/Ed Miller
